APRIL 20, 1999 - LITTLETON, COLO.
Local man organizing violence forum, vigil
Community event aimed at exploring roots of violence and how to change
By Julie Poppen
Camera Staff Writer
Even if the entire city shuts down because of snow today, Boulder Valley School Board member Bill De La Cruz is determined that his community forum on school violence will go on.
So will a candlelight vigil to honor those families traumatized by Tuesday's fatal shootings and bombing at Columbine High School in the Littleton area. The forum will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Boulder High School cafeteria, followed by the vigil.
The day after the shooting, 42-year-old De La Cruz was already organizing the forum, which he describes as a starting point for a community-wide dialogue on the causes and impacts of violence and how the community can come together to stop it.
It's needed, he said, "because children shouldn't be dying at 15 years old from guns and violence and alcohol."
"We can't wait until kids die in Boulder County," he continued. "People think we're so insulated in Boulder. But affluence doesn't bring security."
It's not surprising De La Cruz is so passionate about the need to stop violent behavior. He was a troubled teen who resorted to drugs, booze and bullying in an effort to find a niche for himself in a suburban Orange County, Calif., community.
He was psychologically and physically beaten by a parent. When he was 8, his parents divorced. When he was 13, his elder sister unexpectedly died of bronchial pneumonia. His grief turned into rage and self-destruction.
"For a long time, I thought my name was s---head," De La Cruz said. "I was told I wasn't any good, wasn't fast enough, couldn't do that right. I started to believe that. I could hurt somebody and not care because I was hurt."
At age 16, he realized he was on a path to hell. He decided to turn his life around. Today, he is a father to two children as well as his partner's child and owns a painting business.
Recently De La Cruz formed a nonprofit organization, Restoring Choices, which ties the martial art "aikido" to anger management. He and his associate did a condensed version of the Restoring Choices workshop Wednesday for Fairview High School students as part of a series of Social Studies Day events. It became that much more pertinent after Tuesday's horror.
"Where it starts is kids not feeling like they have a voice — feeling like they're being talked down to, treated condescendingly or not really respected. (The two massacre suspects) didn't go from one day from being straight-A students to killers. Why didn't somebody realize something was up and say something to these kids?"
Co-organizer of this evening's forum, Carla Friedli, a Boulder Valley school psychologist, said it will provide a chance for people to confront violence "face-to-face." The vigil will offer a show of support for anyone touched by the shooting — including Boulder Valley students who lost friends to the violence.
"We will meet with peace as our sword and love in our heart," Friedli said.
April 23, 1999
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BACKGROUND
Full index of the shooting Reconstruction of the shooting Timeline Location the school Floorplan Weapons used
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AUDIO
'Friend of Mine' Listen to the Columbine Memorial song sung by Columbine students Jonathan and Stephen Cohen.
911 tapes
Interview with Arun Ghandi |
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PHOTOS
A Daily Camera photo essay detailed the tragedy of April 20 and the recovery and remembrance in the following weeks: photo essay
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INTERACT
In light of the shooting on April 20, should the state legislature allow people to carry concealed weapons? vote here
With the recent rise in school violence, do you feel schools are still safe? vote here
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THE INVESTIGATION
Gunmen paid for weapons, teenager claims CHS investigators focus on computers Investigators try to disprove third CHS shooter Man charged with selling handgun to child FBI investigator's son linked to case Agents creating models of Columbine Teen targeted by sheriff denies involvement in school attack Arrest in Columbine shooting Killer reportedly took Luvox antidepressant Officials no closer to arresting suspects Detectives question shooter's girlfriend Security videotapes at school may show whether gunmen had help Bombs found in cafeteria Portraits of the killers Killer's diary describes plot of hate |
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SCHOOL VIOLENCE
Violence in Georgia School violence stuns nation Teen wounds six fellow students Teens charged in alleged school attack plot Michigan teenagers charged in plot Other school shootings 1927 school bombing killed nearly 40 children Suspensions, arrests across country La. school site of another shooting Facts: Death in schools 'Blood in the School Yard', from the Cincinnati Post full series |
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REACTION
High schools' 'cult of the athlete' under scrutiny Parents of Columbine shooters sued Suit planned against parents of Columbine High shooters Columbine spurs interest in home schools Columbine healing fund raises $2.3 million Safe Night aims to curb youth violence CU frat shows support for Columbine 'Healing bear' arrives to help in Littleton Doctors: Guilt a normal reaction for survivors School security business surges Media the message? Broomfield couple campaigns to 'Erase the Hate' Clint Talbott - BVSD rejects dress code What now? Video of Clinton's Wednesday morning speech Video of Clinton's Tuesday speech
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GUNS AND LAW
GOP tinkers further with gun legislation Columbine dad lobbies Washington Group forms to back gun control Poll says two-thirds in U.S. support tougher restrictions on guns Senate passes more gun controls Columbine killers also wounded the NRA Senate rejects any new restrictions on gun-show sales Dems want special session Gun control strife House won't debate gun bill New gun laws on table Leaders scrap gun bills Guns and legislatures |
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HOW TO HELP
- The Denver Rocky Mountain News has established a drive to raise money for a memorial to the victims of the Columbine High School tragedy. Contributions may be mailed to the Columbine Memorial Fund, c/o The Jefferson Foundation, 809 Quail St., Building 1, Lakewood, CO 80215.
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